110 HR 6743 IH: Department of Defense Service Dog U.S. House of Representatives 2008-07-31 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6743 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2008 Mr. Jones of North Carolina introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program under which the Secretary may furnish a service dog to any member of the Armed Forces with a qualifying disability.

1.

Short title

This Act may be referred to as the Department of Defense Service Dog Pilot Program Act of 2008.

2.

Service dog pilot program

(a)

Requirement To establish pilot program

The Secretary of Defense shall establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish service dogs to members of the Armed Forces in accordance with this section. (b)

Eligibility

(1)

In general

Under the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense may furnish a service dog to any member of the Armed Forces— (A)who has a service-connected disability, including a disability that limits mobility; and (B)for whom a service dog may be of substantial benefit in the treatment of such disability. (2)

Notice

The Secretary of Defense shall provide information about the pilot program established under subsection (a) to each member of the Armed Forces who may be eligible for such pilot program. (c)

Regulations

The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, including regulations regarding— (1)eligibility for the pilot program established under subsection (a); (2)standards for service dogs; and (3)standards for service dog providers. (d)

Reports

(1)

Interim report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate an interim report on the progress of the pilot program established under subsection (a). (2)

Final report

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a final report on the results of the pilot program. The report shall include such recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate. (e)

Duration

The Secretary of Defense shall terminate the pilot program established under subsection (a) on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (f)

Continuation of benefits

Notwithstanding subsection (e), the Secretary of Defense shall continue to carry out the pilot program established under subsection (a) to the extent necessary to continue to provide benefits to each member of the Armed Forces who has received a service dog under the pilot program. (g)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Service dog

The term service dog means any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. (2)

Service-connected disability

The term service-connected disability means a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty as a member of the Armed Forces.